[the phantom]

Actually, Dior was only the fairest because Luthien was no longer alive. He's declared the fairest when he recieves the Nauglmir (spelled correct?) set with the Silmaril, and the reason he gets it is because Luthien is dead (tough to be the hottest when you're rotting in the ground). I remember text saying something along the lines of "Dior was now the most fair.." the emphasis is on now, meaning he was only the fairest because Luthien was dead at this time. So no, this isn't a textual contradiction. Not that it really matters. I think Luthien was the greatest, but I don't think it's fair to put her in the same boat as the Eldar because she was part angelic being. I would vote for Feanor. That dude rules!